U.S. Cellular Field, named Comiskey Park when it opened in 1991, appeared on the scene a year before Camden Yards revolutionized ballpark-building. It wasn’t a bad ballpark even then, but its timing couldn’t have been worse, especially while sharing a city with Wrigley Field.

White Sox and Cubs fans generally aren’t very fond of each other, and this includes in their opinions of both teams’ ballparks. When the new Comiskey opened, its seemingly sterile atmosphere and seats in the stratosphere didn’t make for the greatest baseball experience, even though as a venue it was perfectly acceptable. Cubs fans seem to revel in their historic home, even though chunks of concrete fall from it.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf admitted that he’d made a mistake in going for a modern baseball stadium rather than a retro feel as was suggested for the new home of the White Sox. And when the U.S. Cellular folks put up $66 million to put their name on the shingle, the White Sox used the money to make great improvements to their home.

The top eight rows in the dizzying upper level were removed and an iron roof was put in their place. The seats’ color was changed from a dumpy light blue to an attractive dark green. The outfield structure was painted dark gray, replacing its commercial-looking white. A multi-level kids play area was added in left field. Bullpens were relocated and a Fan Zone was built in center field.

U.S. Cellular Field’s facelift has changed it from being a function-oriented stadium to a shiny, relatively new ballpark.

And in 2005 the White Sox won the World Series, leaving the Cubs standing out as the team with by far the longest championship drought. Baseball equilibrium in Chicago has been restored.

So of course, if you want to see a game in that other ballpark in Chicago, I’m here to help.

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